Marvel Studios’ upcoming film Thunderbolts, scheduled for release on April 30, 2025, introduces a new team of complex characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film, directed by Jake Schreier, features characters with intricate pasts and dark histories. Here’s an in-depth look at each member of the Thunderbolts team and their roles in the MCU.
Yelena Belova
Yelena Belova, portrayed by Florence Pugh, is a central character in the Thunderbolts lineup. As the adoptive sister of Natasha Romanov, also known as Black Widow, Yelena was trained in the Red Room, a covert Soviet program that produces assassins. Her journey includes a significant turn in the film Black Widow (2021), where she confronts and dismantles the Red Room’s operations. Yelena’s most recent appearance was in the Disney+ series Hawkeye (2021), where she initially targets Clint Barton due to her grief over her sister’s death in Avengers: Endgame. Their eventual reconciliation marks a crucial development in her character arc.
Bucky Barnes, or the Winter Soldier, played by Sebastian Stan, is another key member of the Thunderbolts. Originally a WWII hero alongside Steve Rogers, Bucky was brainwashed by Hydra into becoming the Winter Soldier. His story of redemption began with Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and continued through Avengers: Infinity War (2018). In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), Bucky, now known as the White Wolf by the Wakandans, assists Sam Wilson in taking up the mantle of Captain America. His involvement in the Thunderbolts will likely explore his struggle with his past actions and his new role within the team.
Red Guardian
Red Guardian, played by David Harbour, is Alexei Shostakov, a Soviet hero and the adoptive father of Natasha and Yelena. Debuting in Black Widow (2020), Red Guardian is portrayed as a disgraced hero seeking redemption. Recent footage from SDCC 2024 suggests that Alexei is eager to join the Thunderbolts to regain his former glory and make a significant impact, reflecting his character’s ongoing desire to prove himself.
John Walker, portrayed by Wyatt Russell, is the U.S. Agent, a character who briefly took on the mantle of Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). After a controversial stint where he used the super-soldier serum and committed acts that led to his public disgrace, Walker was stripped of his title. However, his role as the U.S. Agent involves working covertly for the government, a position that will likely be further explored in Thunderbolts.
Taskmaster, first introduced in Black Widow (2020), was originally an antagonist working for General Dreykov. Revealed to be Dreykov’s daughter, Antonia, Taskmaster’s character was manipulated through a chip that enhanced her abilities. After breaking free from Dreykov’s control with the help of Red Dust, Antonia’s future remains uncertain. Her role in Thunderbolts could delve into her struggle with her past and her role in the team.
Ghost
Ghost, played by Hannah John-Kamen, is a former SHIELD operative whose quantum accident left her with intangibility. She was last seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), where her condition was stabilized by Janet van Dyne. Ghost’s involvement in Thunderbolts is expected to showcase her adaptation to her new suit and her role within the team.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is the mastermind behind the Thunderbolts. First appearing in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) and later in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Valentina is portrayed as the Director of the CIA. Her role in assembling the Thunderbolts suggests the team will operate as a covert black ops unit under her direction, highlighting their significance in the MCU’s broader narrative.
The Thunderbolts film promises to explore the intricate backgrounds and current roles of these characters, weaving their stories into a new chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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